Roger Craig has been here before - twice, in fact - but this time, the door to Canton might finally swing open.
The former 49ers running back is one of five senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class, and with some high-profile names reportedly missing the cut, Craig's path looks clearer than ever. And if you ask those who know what greatness looks like - like Hall of Famer and fellow 49er Bryant Young - Craig’s long-overdue enshrinement would be more than just a personal milestone. It would be a celebration of a player who helped redefine what a running back could be.
“You talk about a guy that created a standard at the 1,000-and-1,000 at receiving and rushing,” Young said. “For a running back to do that, that’s incredible.”
He’s not wrong. In 1985, Craig became the first player in NFL history to rack up 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving in the same season - a feat that’s only been matched by Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey since. That kind of dual-threat production wasn’t just ahead of its time - it helped shape the modern mold for the position.
But Craig’s résumé doesn’t stop there. He was a foundational piece of the 49ers dynasty, winning three Super Bowls and earning four Pro Bowl nods along the way.
His versatility and big-game performances were legendary. Case in point: Super Bowl XIX, where Craig became the first player ever to score three scrimmage touchdowns in a single Super Bowl, helping San Francisco topple the Miami Dolphins.
Craig was more than a stat line. He was a tone-setter - the kind of player who didn’t just execute the game plan, but expanded what was possible within it. His blend of power, agility, and receiving ability made him a matchup nightmare and a key cog in Bill Walsh’s innovative West Coast offense.
“Anytime you have a guy that’s been a standard, you want to make sure that he is recognized,” Young said. “I think that would be huge for him, this organization and just in terms of what he’s done for football and what he’s created.”
If Craig does get the nod, he’ll become the 31st player, coach, or executive from the 49ers organization to be enshrined in Canton - a fitting honor for a franchise that’s helped shape the NFL landscape for decades.
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we have more Niners in the Hall of Fame,” Young added. “It’ll be an exciting time if that happens.”
The official announcement comes Thursday during the NFL Honors show. And if Roger Craig’s name is finally called, it won’t just be a long-awaited recognition - it’ll be a celebration of one of the game’s true pioneers.